County lifts burn ban after rainy week

By Linda Perkins

Anvil Herald reporter

Medina Co. Commissioners met Monday, May 4. County Judge Keith Lutz presided. Commissioners Jessica Castiglione, Precinct 1; Larry Sittre, Pct. 2; David Lynch, Pct. 3 and Danny Lawler, Pct. 4 were present.

The court voted unanimously to rescind the burn ban instituted Feb. 23, 2026. Judge Lutz cited recent, large quantities of rain as the reason. As a result, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI) which measures soil moisture is holding steady. Portions of Medina County received seven to 11 inches of rain.

The judge, however, asked that residents of the community continue to call the Medina Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 830-741-6153 to determine whether conditions are favorable before initiating a burn.

Mental Health Awareness

To enhance public awareness of mental health and dispel the stigma surrounding it, Commissioners proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the county.

In Medina County, 848 individuals sought services from Hill Country MHDD Centers in Fiscal Year 2025.

In Texas, 36.8 percent of adults reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorders compared with 32.3 percent in the rest of the United States.

Half of the population will experience some type of mental health challenge over the course of a lifetime.

The statistics underscore the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of mental illnesses, reducing stigma and discrimination and promoting appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental heath conditions. 

Members of Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities were present and received the signed proclamation.

In addition to declaring May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month, the court also proclaimed May as Community Action Month. Representing the agency in court was Judge Glenn Klaus, former Medina County Community Action board member. 

The 31-county service area for the agency includes 31 Southwest Texas counties 

Among their services, the Community Action agencies seek to:

• provide economic opportunities and strengthen communities;

• connect people to life-changing services and create pathways to prosperity in 99 percent of all American counties;

• build and promote economic stability to enable and enhance stronger communities and stable homes;

• promote community-wide solutions to challenges throughout urban, suburban and rural areas; and

• create greater opportunities for families and children to succeed.

The next commissioners court will be Monday, May 18, beginning be at 9 a.m. in the Medina County Courthouse Annex.